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American Government Lecture Nine (view source)
Revision as of 16:50, November 8, 2007
, 16:50, November 8, 2007wikify
American Government
'''American Government'''
'''Ninth Lecture - Interest Groups'''
== Introduction ==
The public has flexed its muscle the past few weeks. Public outrage forced CBS to withdraw from its network its biased film about former President Ronald Reagan. Public outrage also forced the [[Florida]] legislature to pass a special law to save the life of Terri Schiavo-Schindler. A court had ordered her feeding tube removed based on statements by her estranged husband that Terri did not want to live anymore. This special law gave the feeding tube back to Terri.
The public has flexed its muscle the past few weeks. Public outrage forced CBS to withdraw from its network its biased film about former President Ronald Reagan. Public outrage also forced the [[Florida]] legislature to pass a special law to save the life of Terri Schiavo-Schindler. A court had ordered her feeding tube removed based on statements by her estranged husband that Terri did not want to live anymore. This special law gave the feeding tube back to Terri.
We also had an election last Tuesday, and we will take a moment to look at the results.
We also had an election last Tuesday, and we will take a moment to look at the results.
== What is an Interest Group? ==
The term “interest group” is defined in your glossary, p. 309. It is an organization of people who agree on an issue, and try to influence government policy on that issue. Examples are pro-life groups, pro-environment groups, pro-gun rights groups, pro-gun control groups, and so on. How many can you name?
The term “interest group” is defined in your glossary, p. 309. It is an organization of people who agree on an issue, and try to influence government policy on that issue. Examples are pro-life groups, pro-environment groups, pro-gun rights groups, pro-gun control groups, and so on. How many can you name?
About a hundred years ago, there was an interest group that grew so powerful that its single issue was inserted into the Constitution by amendment. Can you name that issue? (Prohibition – abolishing all alcohol. It was passed as the 18th Amendment, and later repealed during the Depression as the 21st Amendment.)
About a hundred years ago, there was an interest group that grew so powerful that its single issue was inserted into the Constitution by amendment. Can you name that issue? (Prohibition – abolishing all alcohol. It was passed as the 18th Amendment, and later repealed during the Depression as the 21st Amendment.)
== Comparing Interest Groups to Political Parties ==
Some people prefer to work in political parties, while others prefer to work in interest groups. Let’s compare the two.
Some people prefer to work in political parties, while others prefer to work in interest groups. Let’s compare the two.
Where would you prefer to spend your time – working in a political party or in an interest group?
Where would you prefer to spend your time – working in a political party or in an interest group?
== Lobbyists and PACs ==
Lobbyists are people hired by large companies or interest groups to try to influence public policy. They work in the capital cities of states (e.g., Trenton, NJ, or Jefferson City, MO, or Austin, TX) or in Washington, D.C., the capital of the federal government. Federal lobbyists have offices on “K” street, a luxurious area of D.C. In 1968, there were only 62 lobbyists there. Now there are 21,000 of them, mostly well paid.
Lobbyists are people hired by large companies or interest groups to try to influence public policy. They work in the capital cities of states (e.g., Trenton, NJ, or Jefferson City, MO, or Austin, TX) or in Washington, D.C., the capital of the federal government. Federal lobbyists have offices on “K” street, a luxurious area of D.C. In 1968, there were only 62 lobbyists there. Now there are 21,000 of them, mostly well paid.
Lobbyists also help raise money for politicians for their reelection, in the form of political action committees (PACs). These are special accounts set up to raise money that can be given to a candidate. Every large company has one. Employees are told they should donate to the company’s PAC so that it can give money to important politicians in D.C. It has become necessary to donate to politicians to help them win, in order to catch their attention. You can bet politicians appreciate those who send money for reelection.
Lobbyists also help raise money for politicians for their reelection, in the form of political action committees (PACs). These are special accounts set up to raise money that can be given to a candidate. Every large company has one. Employees are told they should donate to the company’s PAC so that it can give money to important politicians in D.C. It has become necessary to donate to politicians to help them win, in order to catch their attention. You can bet politicians appreciate those who send money for reelection.
== What Would James Madison Say? ==
What would James Madison say about this? Recall Federalist No. 10, which was the first handout in this course. He opposed interest groups, which he called ‘factions”. Was he right?
What would James Madison say about this? Recall Federalist No. 10, which was the first handout in this course. He opposed interest groups, which he called ‘factions”. Was he right?
A response might be that the pro-abortionists did capture the federal government, and only pro-life interest groups can correct the situation. All it takes is for five Justices on the Supreme Court to issue a ruling like Roe v. Wade and there is a huge problem. Besides, the media act like one big interest group that promotes abortion. It takes new interest groups to combat this effectively.
A response might be that the pro-abortionists did capture the federal government, and only pro-life interest groups can correct the situation. All it takes is for five Justices on the Supreme Court to issue a ruling like Roe v. Wade and there is a huge problem. Besides, the media act like one big interest group that promotes abortion. It takes new interest groups to combat this effectively.
== Regulating Interest Groups ==
The First Amendment protects interest groups. Government cannot abolish them, but can it regulate them?
The First Amendment protects interest groups. Government cannot abolish them, but can it regulate them?
What do you think about the right of interest groups to run expensive ads just before an election? Should it be limited? In the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002, Congress prohibited political ads by interest groups within 60 days of an election, and the Supreme Court heard a challenge to its constitutionality last September. A decision is expected soon. Do you think this regulation is constitutional?
What do you think about the right of interest groups to run expensive ads just before an election? Should it be limited? In the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002, Congress prohibited political ads by interest groups within 60 days of an election, and the Supreme Court heard a challenge to its constitutionality last September. A decision is expected soon. Do you think this regulation is constitutional?
== Election Results ==
Every November, America changes a bit because there are elections. It is always worth pausing to observe what happened.
Every November, America changes a bit because there are elections. It is always worth pausing to observe what happened.
In Mississippi, famous Republican lobbyist Haley Barbour won the governorship. So sometimes lobbyists become top government officials themselves. The door between government and lobbyists revolves round-and-round.
In Mississippi, famous Republican lobbyist Haley Barbour won the governorship. So sometimes lobbyists become top government officials themselves. The door between government and lobbyists revolves round-and-round.
== Issues ==
1. Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean is in the lead, and all his rivals ganged up on him on the issue of the Confederate Flag. Dean said he wanted people who drive in pick-up trucks with the Confederate Flag in their window to vote for him. His opponents say that is an offensive and improper appeal for votes. Will Dean be hurt by this?
1. Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean is in the lead, and all his rivals ganged up on him on the issue of the Confederate Flag. Dean said he wanted people who drive in pick-up trucks with the Confederate Flag in their window to vote for him. His opponents say that is an offensive and improper appeal for votes. Will Dean be hurt by this?